Just a quick look at some top draft picks, rookies and Willy where he stands against them,

Embiid - 58% True Shooting, 3.4 BPM, 1.9 Win Shares, 24.3 PER
Ingram - 46.5% True Shooting, -4.3 BPM, -0.6 Win Shares, 7.3 PER (Wow, Ingram has sucked)
Hield - 53% True Shooting, -3.5 BPM, 0.9 Win Shares, 10.9 PER
Brogdon - 55% True Shooting, -1 BPM, 3.1 Win Shares, 14.4 PER
Saric - 51% True Shooting, -2 BPM, 0.9 Win Shares, 12.7 PER
Chriss - 52% True Shooting, -1.6 BPM, 1.2 Win Shares, 11.8 PER
Yogi - 54% True Shooting, -1.1 BPM, 1.3 Win Shares, 13 PER
Hernangomez - 58% True Shooting, 0,0 BPM, 2,5 Win Shares, 18,3 PER

Hernangomez ranks vs that list

second in PER
second in Win Shares
first with Embiid in True Shooting percentage
second in BPM.

There's more stats that make him look good but I didn't have the time to do them all.

Advanced stats definitely paint Willy as a top 4 rookie this year. I know the class is weak and Simmons has hurt, but still. We got a heck of a player in Willy. Teams with lottery talent get what we got. Great pick. I could even make a case that based on advanced stats, Willy has been the 2nd best rookie behind Embiid.

Do not trade this guy. He's a longterm asset. Let him evolve and teach him how to take charges, and defend the paint better.

fishmike wrote:Willy's line last night:
13 points, 16 rebs (6 offensive), 4 assists, 3 steals and a block and he shot 50%

His advanced stats are so good.
He's got advanced numbers that rival KPs from last year
Don't want to get ahead of myself but this guy has major skill to be a good player in the league

smackeddog wrote:I like willy, but I do think he benefits from it being such an awful draft class. I think in a normal year he's a mid first rounder, which is still very good.

Thats damn good... and best part is he passes the eye test. Its not all garbage points and he makes good passes, sets good picks and brings a blue collar element to his skilled game. I was really high on him early. KOQ earned the early nod is his play was great, but Willy is clearly better. We really need to get lucky on these types of guys.

This talk about him and KP not starting together is poppycock. They will start and excel together, they understand each other's games and cover each other's deficiencies to a degree.

nixluva wrote:

meloshouldgo wrote:I have been high on him from day 1. I have asked several times why he want starting when it was clear Noah was wasted. Willy is a true blue Knicks type Playah. A competent PG setting him up for easy layups would be something to watch.

This talk about him and KP not starting together is poppycock. They will start and excel together, they understand each other's games and cover each other's deficiencies to a degree.

It was partly how they looked together that made the Knicks so hot to pair them up in NY. You can see the chemistry they have and I think they work well together. Just build up the PG, SG and SF spots and you really would have something. This draft has plenty of talent at those positions. Phil and his staff have to get this draft right.

Rotation:

Willy/Noah/KP
KP/Thomas/Kuzminskas

An athletic 3/2/1 combination could really help.

I really like O'Quinn, but we need to see what his trade value is. Cash in, because as some others have said at the end of next season, he may command a much bigger contract.